TEAM

i7strategies team members have extensive experience in financial services and payments.

David Peterson

David L. Peterson is the original founder of Goldleaf Technologies, a leading provider of electronic payments software and services to independent financial institutions in the U.S. Over nearly 20 years with Goldleaf, Peterson worked with thousands of financial institutions domestically, was instrumental in getting new payment systems started in countries such as Panama, Aruba and Trinidad/Tobago, and traveled extensively in Latin America and the Caribbean educating financial stakeholders in the methods and best practices of starting ACH and electronic check clearing systems from the ground up. David currently acts as Chairman of the board of GACHA, a regional payment association based in Atlanta, Georgia that serves nearly 400 members. After nearly 20 years of success with Goldleaf, Peterson founded i7strategies in 2009 to focus on electronic payments strategic planning and consulting.

Most recently, David has written a bestselling book entitled Grounded: Anchor Management for Strategic Leadership and Effective Decision-Making (Little River, 2016). He is recognized nationally as a payments content expert and has been a featured speaker for numerous associations, banking schools, and industry trade groups, including ICBA, NACHA, BAI, FDIC and the Federal Reserve Bank as well as numerous state and regional electronic payments organizations across the country. He also is frequently published in regional and national publications on a wide range of electronic banking, sales and marketing topics.

“David is a truly engaging individual who commands respect and attention wherever he goes because people can sense that his contributions to a conversation will be insightful with a unique perspective. I feel lucky to include David in my circle of trusted advisors.”

– Deborah Mathews Philips, NACHA Internet Council Chair

“Our members tell us they excitedly anticipate his role each year and can’t wait to see what creative brainstorms he will come up with next. He is an exceptionally talented speaker and has the rare gift of making even a typically boring topic both interesting and entertaining. His high energy and passion is contagious!”

– Peggt Gachesa, President, CEO GACHA

Chris Petersen

Chris Petersen is well recognized as an industry expert in innovative technology utilized by Financial Institutions of all market segments. With a tenured background in the FinTech market for over 30 years and a reputation for assisting financial institutions in all areas of strategic direction in financial technology she is engaged to help identify and execute strategies for success and revenue generation.
As an executive in both start up, entrepreneurial organizations and Global technology companies her thought leadership has driven success in all areas necessary for banking and client success. Known as a thought leader and subject matter expert, she has presented nationally on a wide range of electronic banking, virtual branch, payments and strategic thinking topics.

Petersen recently served as Executive of Client Relationships and Strategic Account Management for FIS. FIS™ is the world’s largest global provider dedicated to banking and payments technologies. As an executive leader of the organization she focused on enterprise wide strategic client initiatives and her ability to drive revenue for the organization and its more than 10,000 clients domestically.

A passionate and dynamic presenter, Chris has presented to thousands of financial institutions at large global conferences and intimate one on one individual bank strategic sessions. Her ability to take technical content and translate it into easy to understand information for the financial institution executive team allows her to become relevant to the institution C-Suite and their assist the organization in meeting the needs of their clients.

Few people can captivate an audience with strong content, relevant topics, and a huge personality. But Chris delivers! Chris isn’t just a great woman speaker; she is great speaker period.